First Thursday: Galleries celebrate PNCA

Motoya Nakamura/The OregonianLee Kelly, pictured here on his estate, will give the Homecoming Lecture at PNCA.

You'll notice something distinctive about the artists exhibiting work during tonight's First Thursday art walk. Many of them attended the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Given that PNCA is the state's flagship art college, that dominance isn't unusual. But this month, the number of PNCA graduates or affiliates of the college exhibiting work will be greater than usual because the local commercial galleries are honoring PNCA's centennial.

It's hard to say exactly how many galleries are participating, but it's safe to say that it's an impressive number that includes most of Portland's top-tier galleries. Here's a tip sheet of just a few shows to catch while touring the art walk, which once again starts about 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Admission, of course, is free.

Laura Russo Gallery: The Russo gallery probably has the most comprehensive sampling of PNCA-related artists this month -- 19 artists affiliated with the college in some way, including Jay Backstrand, Lucinda Parker, Eric Stotik, Marlene Bauer, Jack Portland and others. Separately, the gallery is showing work by Tom Cramer, also a PNCA graduate, and for more than two decades a stalwart talent of the local art scene. (805 N.W. 21st Ave.)

Blackfish Gallery: Barbara Black, Paul Missal, Judith Wyss and Angela Passalacqua, among others, are members of this cooperative with PNCA connections, and all are exhibiting work this month. (420 N.W. Ninth Ave.)

PDX Contemporary Art at PDX Across the Hall: Owner Jane Beebe shows work by two of her enduring and purest talents, Molly Vidor and Patrick Abbey, as well as pieces by a recent graduate of the college, Derek Franklin. (929 N.W. Flanders St.)

Anka Gallery: This small gallery in the Everett Station Lofts teams up with former dealer Mark Woolley to put on a show of PNCA-related artists once represented by Woolley before he closed his gallery this year. Those artists include Melinda Thorsnes, Stuart Cornell, Tamara English and Michael T. Hensley. Woolley is co-presenting the show. (325 N.W. Sixth Ave.)

Lee Kelly lecture: Lee Kelly, one of the finest Northwest sculptors and a 1959 graduate of PNCA, will deliver the college's 2009 Homecoming Lecture at 6 p.m. Friday at the college's Swigert Commons. Bruce Guenther, the Portland Art Museum's chief curator, will be interviewing Kelly at the free event. (1241 N.W. Johnson St.)